Visit

The Urban Systems Lab is situated in the heart of Manhattan at 79 Fifth Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets. Upon arriving at the building, simply enter through the front doors, where you'll be greeted by a welcome desk and security personnel on your right. Proceed to the elevators and select the 16th floor. As you exit the elevator, you'll find two glass doors towards your left. Continue through these doors and along the hallway until you reach the entrance to Room 1605 on your left-hand side. To arrange a visit, please contact us.

Large Conference Room

Conference Room 1618 is directly accessible from the elevator area; it sits 20 people around a table, and up to 40 thanks to the sidelines.

Small Conference Room

Situated near our kitchen, Conference Room 1613 comfortably seats up to eight people.

Meeting Rooms

Rooms 1610 and 1611 are two smaller spaces dedicated to taking zoom calls, having one-on-one meetings, and finding focus.

Work Spaces

Desks are spread across two rooms. 1604 is a flex space with six large work desks.

Nicknamed the fishbowl because of glass enclosures on three of its four walls, 1605 features a circumventing desk providing eight workspaces. And a sofa in the middle!

Director’s Office

Continue down the hallway from 1605, past the right turn. The Lab Director, Dr. Timon McPhearson’s office is in room 1608.

Kitchen & Shared Resources

Our floor features the following:

• hot desk area

• kitchen

• espresso machine, milk frother, French press, drip coffee machine

• dining table

• all-genders bathroom

• printer

• remote stations

• sofas

• lactation room

• friendly faces and good vibes

Centers, Labs & Institutes

The Urban Systems Lab is located next to several other centers, labs and institutes which we regularly collaborate with. Some of these centers include:

• Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility

• Tishman Environment and Design Center

• Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy

• New University In Exile Consortium

• India China Institute

• Center for New York City Affairs

Food & Drink

• Union Square Farmers Market

• Breads Bakery

• Taqueria

• Poke

• Garden of Eden

• Another Country, record bar

• Park Bar

the new school

• Campus Map

• University Card ID Services

• International Scholar and Student Services

• University Center

  • Cafeteria

  • Faculty/Staff Lounge

  • Meditation Space

  • Library

• Public Programs & Events

• Parsons Making Center

minutes away

• Whole Foods

• Chipotle

• Pret-à-Manger

• Plethora of cafés

• Dozens of restaurants

• All kinds of shops

Architecture

Built in 1906, the Knickerbocker Building is clad in limestone, brick, and terra cotta. It features ornament derived from highly stylized and over-scaled Renaissance and Viennese Secessionist forms. Designed by Albert S. Gottlieb, it was built for Jacob Rothschild, Jr.; it was widely praised in its time for its up-to-the-minute mix of functions, fireproofing and, as the Landmarks Commission notes, “its contributions to the art of the modern office.”

The Knickerbocker Building’s name references a term for the old Dutch families that first settled New York City; along with the Stuyvesant and Schuyler Buildings across the street, this represents an early form of branding a thoroughly modern development with an air of antique respectability.

there’s a nice view!

Oriented toward the West, our 16th story windows offer plenty of opportunities for urban nature observation and magic hour lighting. Come visit!